Mind blown was the only 2 words I could use to describe from what I am experiencing now.
I had never thought the person who had saved me back then and gave me the opportunity for revenge was the very hero who saved the whole empire, and our family from succumbing to that rotten plague.
The very hero who saved the whole empire saved me.
"Oi kid, wake up. Stop your self-monologuing." Lord Bloodfist awoke me from my shock.
"Now can you guess what kind of danger and responsibility you signed up for?"
I thought about it. But what kind of danger could a prince face, especially a potential heir to the throne, like lord Emberson? However, didn't Lord Emberson himself say he had enemies, especially the attack launched on him a few days ago, which caused him to be in nearly half-burnt like he said.
"Not really?" I shook my head in response
Lord Bloodfist sighed at my response as he facepalmed. "Either you are dumber than you look or staying with that guy has improved my own IQ level."
I was offended by what he said, but I kept silent knowing what he said was the truth. I simply couldn't see who Lord Emberson's enemies could be. Who would want to harm a hero who single handily saved the whole empire from a deadly plague?
"Your IQ has not improved muscle brain. It's just that he doesn't understand the inner workings of the empire. Explain to him the current political situation and he will understand who my enemies are." Said Lord Emberson as he sat up while poking around his ear with his fingers.
"You guys are too loud that I can't even sleep."
"Your mum is the muscle brain, you piece of lazy shit." Muttered Lord Bloodfist silently.
"Why don't you explain it since I am a muscle brain? Besides, it will be good for you to exercise your mouth, as the only thing you know with it is to annoy and eat." Said Lord Bloodfist
"Fine." Said his highness as he stretched and proceeded to yawn.
"Listen closely Ellis, I won't repeat this again.
Currently, there are 3 princes including me, meaning 3 potential heirs to the throne. Each of them is competing for the throne. Due to this, there are 3 different factions among the nobles in the empire right now, each of them supporting a prince each.
1 noble faction supporting the crown prince, 1 supporting Jack Emberson or better known as Jack Luminity and the last one supporting me.
With me so far?" His Highness asked me
I took in what he said a processed it for a few seconds before nodding.
"Ok here is what makes this game dangerous. The emperor supports the crown prince along with 4 commandment nobles. Jack has got the support of 3 commandments noble along with us having 3 as well. So, who do you think is going to win?"
I thought for a moment before replying "With all due respect your highness, wouldn't it be the crown prince who has the highest chance to win?"
His highness in response to my answer smiled as he shook his head "If it was a game of simple numbers then yes. But it's not so simple, the rest of the court except the crown princes faction abhors the crown prince and will do everything to make sure he won't succeed to the throne.
The reason is very simple? He is too much of a party boy, relying on his dad's favouritism and help to do everything.
The court and other nobles want a capable ruler, not someone who will play with the empire and destroy it and cause it to enter a civil war.
Hence if he were to succeed to the throne all the other faction will join together to oppose him. While at the same time both me and Jack have to do everything in our power to convince the court that we are the capable rulers.
Due to this all of us are in a stalemate, and we are currently fighting some kind of a cold war, trying to come on top of each other.
And we only have a time limit of 5 years, hence the reason my contract with you is only for 5 years.
Within the next 5 years, someone has to succeed to the throne, or the power scale of the empire might go haywire and plunge the empire into chaos."
"But why 5 years?" I asked in confusion. I understood the general danger and where I stood in this scenario, but what reason could there be for a time limit?
"Because in 5 years' time me and the emperor are expected to die."
"What!" My mind went blank for the next few moments, and I was woken up by the voice of Lord Emberson.
"Since you seem to understand the general situation, muscle brain there will answer any of your questions. I suggest you rest and get yourself sorted, especially from what happened yesterday, because after today your training will start, to prepare for all sorts of madness." He said as he walked towards one of the room while yawning.
I turned towards Lord Bloodfist who had lost his playfulness and replaced it with an air of seriousness as he looked towards where Prince Emberson walked towards.
"Boy, let me give you a warning, even though he simplified the general situation, don't underestimate the ruthlessness of this war. If ever you doubt the seriousness of what you are facing just remember your own situation. What happened to you last night is a common occurrence in this brutal war to the throne."
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I was woken up by the loud yelling of someone in the garden.
Seriously can't they do their training more quietly.
I walked out to the garden to see Ellis yelling loudly as he practised some sort of sword movement under Titus' watch.
"Oh, you seem to be up. Good morning" Titus greeted me as I walked through the door.
"You were too loud. What are you doing?"
"Training"
"I can see that. But why sword and not just physical training?"
"Well I asked him if he wanted to specialise in any weapons and he chose longsword. So, this sword movement trains him both physically and in the sword." He replied as he corrected Ellis in his posture.
"Why don't you try it as well? Good to get exercise once in a while." He asked me after he corrected Ellis.
"No thanks. Too much effort." I replied back
"You lazy ass. Besides that where is my promised food? Also, will you be cooking for him too?" He asked me.
"Give me a few minutes I just woke up. Yeah, I will cook for him, it will give him more time to train physically and spend less time accumulating. How is my shop's renovation going?"
Titus nodded as he replied "I just received a message saying it should be done by noon. Will you be starting your business soon then?" I nodded at his question.
"Hmm, okay but expect your first assignment within the next 2 weeks. I suggest you get plenty of rest before that along with doing some preparations. Also, will you provide any discount for us, since we support you?" He asked me for a discount without any shred of shame.
All the participant of the competition is expected to complete assignments from the royal palace.
The assignments range from solving, visiting or preparing for any natural or man-made crisis/ disasters to military tours.
For example, if a local village experienced famine and no help was provided then over time they will build hatred towards the empire and slowly form a rebellion. To stop these kinds of situations from happening we were given the option of visiting these areas and solving and helping them with any problems. Sometimes we were even required to cull the rebellion in certain areas as our mission or even solving the food shortage caused by famine.
Although these missions are not compulsory, but it is good for one to complete it. This is because when one completes these assignments not only will their capability will be shown to the court, but your feats will be spread by the people who you helped out, thus building up your fame throughout the empire and gathering the support of the commoners.
The true fun starts when I begin taking these missions, as the other faction members could send people to sabotage my mission and thus incurring the anger of people and losing any supporters I have and building infamy, like what happened with the crown prince for most of his missions.
"No discounts since I have been cooking for you the past few days. Send him to the shop once you have finished instructing him the basics and what to train on." I said as I walked towards the kitchen to cook, ignoring the pleading face of Titus.